Goncalo Ramos bagged an impressive hattrick for the Portuguese national team in the 6-1 thumping of Switzerland in the concluding match of Round of 16 fixture at the ongoing FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar.
The 21-year-old was put in the first team to replace the iconic Portuguese football icon, Cristiano Ronaldo and did well to reward the coach, Fernando Santos for trusting in his abilities.
Pepe, captain in Ronaldo‘s absence, got Portugal’s second and Ramos also teed up Raphael Guerreiro, with Manuel Akanji‘s consolation for Switzerland prior to Ramos’ hat-trick goal and Rafael Leao‘s late stunner a mere footnote.
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Ramos’ opener was entirely out of keeping with a dull opening at the world cup Round of 16 clash between the European teams.
Joao Felix passed into the left side of the area and, after taking a touch, Ramos sent a bullet of a left-footed strike into the top-left corner from a tight angle.
A fingertip Diogo Costa save from Xherdan Shaqiri‘s free-kick just before the half-hour kept Portugal in front and they capitalized three minutes later as Pepe headed home Bruno Fernandes‘ corner.
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Any hope of a turnaround was swiftly put down by two goals early in the second half.
Ramos first turned in Diogo Dalot‘s low cross before the striker unselfishly teed up Guerreiro.
Akanji knocked in at the back post after a Portugal defender inadvertently flicked on a corner, but the deficit was four again soon after – Ramos’ impudent dink over Yann Sommer completing a memorable treble.
He was later brought off as Ronaldo – who had a late goal disallowed for offside – entered, but Portugal were not done yet, with Leao burying a gorgeous curler in stoppage time.
